Today, the Latin phrase “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” is often used to question whether those in law enforcement, politics, the judicial system, and even corporate governance are held accountable for their actions. But the phrase, which translates to “who will guards the guards?,” seems especially apt after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced late last week that an ITÂ specialist employed by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was arrested for attempting to transmit national defense information to an officer or agent of a foreign government.
The individual, identified as Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, of Alexandria, VA, had been employed at the DIA since 2019, working with the Insider Threat Division and holding a Top Secret security clearance. An investigation was launched in March 2025 after the FBI received a tip that Laatsch offered to provide classified information to a friendly foreign government.
“The conduct alleged in this case is a profound betrayal of the American people and a direct threat to our national security,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “When someone entrusted with access to classified information attempts to provide it to a foreign government, it jeopardizes our intelligence capabilities, our military advantage, and the safety of our nation. The National Security Division is committed to using every tool available to uncover, disrupt, and hold accountable those who seek to harm the United States.”
A Case of Ideology
Laatsch’s motivation was apparently based on ideology, as evidenced by his admission that he did not “agree or align with the values of this administration” and was “willing to share classified information.” According to the DOJ, that included “completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and other assorted classified documentation.”
The accused engaged in communication with an FBI agent on multiple occasions last month, believing that he was in contact with an official of a foreign government. The DOJ has not indicated the government, but it did note that Laatsch was interested in obtaining citizenship from that country, after he said he didn’t expect “things here to improve in the long term.”
Laatsch was arrested after he arranged a drop-off of a thumb drive containing the classified information at a public park with the agent on May 29 in northern Virginia.
Human Element is Truly the Weakest Link
Cybersecurity professionals have warned for years that the human element is the weakest link in any security chain. Yet, usually that meant individuals could make mistakes, such as clicking on the wrong link, or being socially engineered to provide details without realizing they were being compromised.
In March, reports circulated that China and Russia were targeting Americans disgruntled by the DOGE layoffs, scouring social media platforms including LinkedIn, TikTok, RedNote, and Reddit. An aggressive campaign has been underway to target fired federal employees.
Even those who may not have been laid off could be in the crosshairs of foreign intelligence operatives.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, and the FBI further warned in April that foreign intelligence services, notably those in China, had launched a campaign in which they posed as headhunters, consulting firms, and think tanks to recruit individuals.
As previously reported, Beijing has also sought to recruit U.S. military personnel, gathering data on U.S. weapons systems, including the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and the Stryker armored fighting vehicle, as well as information on U.S. military facilities.
